The Mute House

Release Date: January 28, 2025

Action, TPP, survival horror, zombie, indie games, action adventure, singleplayer

86%

Steam

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A survival horror created in a form of an action-adventure game, heavily inspired by the first installments of Resident Evil series. In The Mute House we end up in the titular house in the forest. We play as a female cop Emily, fighting the undead, solving puzzles and trying to find Emily's missing sister.

Story
Gameplay
Graphics

The Mute House is an action-adventure game, maintained in the convention of a survival horror. It is clearly modeled on the giants of the genre, led by the first installments of the Resident Evil series. The game was developed by the independent studio December Blues Games.

Story

The Mute House transports us to the fictional town of Ashtown, where mysterious disappearances have taken place over the past few months. When a similar fate befalls the sister of the main character, a policewoman named Emily, the protagonist decides to conduct her own investigation into the matter. Deprived of the sheriff's office consent, she goes to the titular house in the forest to investigate its secrets.

Exploration and puzzles

In The Mute House we watch the action from various "cinematic" shots. We explore various rooms of the residence, looking for scraps of information about the events that took place here. We often have to solve puzzles that require interacting with objects and searching for items, as well as using them in a specific way.

Fighting opponents

The situation is complicated by the fact that the manor is overrun by the living dead. Emily has a firearm and a knife at her disposal, so she can defend herself against enemies. Nonetheless, situations in which the protagonist has a full magazine are rare here. For this reason, we should try to avoid enemies whenever possible.

Juggling equipment

Additionally, our survival is complicated by the equipment system - the inventory size is limited. This forces us to skillfully juggle equipment and often leads to giving up some supplies to take a more important item with us.

Graphics

The graphic design of The Mute House is maintained in an aesthetic that evokes associations with Resident Evil HD.

Videos and Screens

[1:31] The Mute House - Trailer #1

86%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (164)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Nostalgic Experience: Many players appreciate the homage to classic survival horror games, particularly the original Resident Evil, praising its retro feel and gameplay mechanics.
Atmosphere and Graphics: The game is noted for its beautiful environments, atmospheric sound design, and effective use of lighting, which contribute to an immersive horror experience.
Puzzles and Exploration: Users found the puzzles to be engaging and well-designed, often requiring players to think critically and make notes, which enhances the exploration aspect of the game.
Enemy Variety: The game features a range of enemies that add to the tension and challenge, including unique boss encounters.
Length and Replayability: The game is considered to have a good length for a survival horror title, with some players enjoying the challenge of the "Fury Mode" post-completion.

The main cons of the game

Lack of Map: A frequently mentioned issue is the absence of a map, which leads to confusion and unnecessary backtracking, making navigation difficult for players.
Limited Inventory Space: The small inventory (initially six slots) and non-linked item storage boxes frustrate players, forcing them to make frequent trips back to safe rooms to manage items.
Clunky Controls: While some players appreciate the tank controls, others find them frustrating, particularly during combat and boss encounters, where camera angles can hinder gameplay.
Unbalanced Boss Fights: Many reviews criticize certain boss fights for being overly difficult or requiring excessive ammunition, turning them into tedious experiences rather than thrilling challenges.
Generic Story: The storyline is often described as cliché and predictable, lacking depth and engagement.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

Save System Improvements: Players express a desire for more flexible save options, such as multiple save slots, to avoid losing progress.
Enhanced Combat Mechanics: Suggestions include adding melee weapons or more varied combat options to make encounters more dynamic.
Quality of Life Improvements: Users mention the need for better control remapping options, audio settings, and possibly more animations to enhance immersion.
More Unlockable Content: There are requests for additional unlockable weapons or costumes to increase replay value after completing the game.
Improved Puzzle Clarity: Some puzzles are seen as overly complex or obscure, leading players to rely on external guides, which detracts from the intended challenge.

Summary

Overall, "THE MUTE HOUSE" is generally well-received by fans of classic survival horror, though it faces criticism for its navigation, inventory management, and certain gameplay mechanics.

Summary generated on: February 24, 2025